El Dorado County supervisors to hear about forest-water connection

Looks like the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors will be hearing from a college professor regarding ways to increase water yield from forests in the Sierra Nevada.

The presentation is scheduled for 2 p.m., March 20 at the Board of Supervisors meeting, 330 Fair Lane in Placerville. There will be time for discussion following the presentation.

According to a press release issued by Supervisor Ray Nutting’s office, “Dr. Richard Bales, director of the Sierra Nevada Research Institute at U.C. Merced will be presenting new research on the beneficial impacts to water resources from sound forest management.”

According to the release, in a recently published paper Bales claims the Sierra Nevada Watershed Ecosystem Enhancement Project could increase water yield from forests and extend the retention of snowpack in the spring, both of which will translate into more water at the right time of year for the rest of California.

Again, according to the press release, “initial estimates suggest that reducing forest cover by 40 percent of maximum levels across a watershed could increase water yields by about 9 percent. Sustained, extensive treatments in dense Sierra Nevada forests could increase water yield by up to 16 percent.”

Bales’ presentation is sponsored by Nutting and El Dorado County Water Agency General Manager Dave Eggerton.

“Dr. Bales is on the cutting edge of research on the management of fuels in the Sierra Nevada and the effects on water quality and quantity,” said Nutting in a statement accompanying the press release. “This presentation should prove to be very informative and I encourage the public to attend.” ...